Tooth-brush.



R. L. LONG.

TOOTH BRUSH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4. 1915.

.1 51 5 3 1 n Patent-ed Sept. 14, 193-5.

FiL Lo/vc Wikwaooeo onion.

RUSSELL LEWIS LONG, 01? MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA.

TOOTH-BRUSH.

Application filed January 4, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUSSELL L. LONG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Morgantown, in the county of Monongalia and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tooth-Brushes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in tooth brushes and the like and has for its primary object to provide a, combination handle and case for a tooth brush, whereby the brush head is completely housed and protected when not in use, and at the same time said brush may be readily disposed in extended relation to the handle.

The invention has for a more particular object to provide a case embodying two sections normally held upon each other and against relative movement by a spring, and a spring pressed brush mounted upon one of the case sections and adapted to be projected from the case when the case is opened to extend longitudinally therefrom.

The invention has for an additional object to generally improve the construction of devices of the above character whereby the brush head is maintained in a sanitary condition, and a sim le, convenient and serviceable combination protecting casing and handle for the brush produced.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the brush extended from the case and positioned for use; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, the

brush being disposed within the case and the latter closed; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view. illustrating the manner of mounting the brush on the case section.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 designates the body section of the case which is preferably constructed of sheet metal, such as aluminum or the like, and is of channelshape form incross section. The side walls 6 of this case body are reduced in width for approximately one-half of the length of the case as shown at 7. The opposite ends of the side walls 6 of the case section are connected by the end wall 8. The cover section Specification of Letters Patent. l Patented Sept. 14L, 1915.

Serial m. 42 5.

9 of the. case is also constructed of sheet metal and met shallow channel-shape formation in cross section. The side walls or flanges of this cover section are adapted to-eo extend downwardly exteriorly of the come spending Walls of the body section of the case. At a point intermediate of its ends, this cover section is ofi'set or angularly disposed, as shown at 10, so that the same will fit down closely upon the reduced portions of the side walls 6 of the case body 5. A transverse pivot rod 11 extends through the side walls or flanges of the case body and the cover adjacent to the end wall 8 of the case body. The cover of the case projects a slight distance beyond this pivot rod, as at l2, and constitutes a stop which is adapted to engage with the end wall 8 of the case body and limit the opening movement of the cover with relation to the body 5. A coil sprlng 13 is arranged upon the pivot rod'll and normally acts to lift the cover of the case.

The brush head 14 may be of any approved construction, and the shank thereof is suitably fixed in a'metal socket member 15. This socket member upon one of its ends is formed with the spaced ears 1? which are loosely engaged upon a transverse rod or pin 35 body. The socket member 15 is also provided with an opening 20 which is adapted to receive the curved pin or keeper 21 which is fixed at one of its ends to the end of the case body. The other end of this keeper pin is provided with a notch or recess indicated at 22. A latch plate 23 is pivotally mounted at one of its ends, as at 24, upon 12? the free end of the case cover 9 and in its free end is provided with the slot 25 opening upon the edge of said plate. The end of the case cover has an opening 26 therein which is adapted to receive the notched end of the keeper pin 21. A spring 27 is fixed upon the cover of the case and bears at its free end against the latch plate 23. As shown in I Fig. 1, when the brush is in its extended position, the notched end of the keeper pin 21 119 is disposed in the slot 26 of the keeper plate and the inner edge of such slot fits into the This 90 notch 22 at the end of the pin whereby the cover of the case is locked in its closed position. The brush case thus provides a con v'enient handle whereby the brush may be readily manipulated in the cleaning of the teeth. After using the brush, the latch plate is disengaged from the keeper pin and the cover of the case forced to its open position. The brush head is now folded upwardly and. inwardly into the body oi the case between the side Walls thereof. The latch member 23 is new again engaged. with the keeper pin to lock the cover of the case in closed position. In this manner, the brush head is entirely inclosed or housed within the case and protected against accumulations of dust or other foreign matter. Water may readily drain from the bush bristles over the end Wall 8 of the case body so that it will not be retained Within the case and rotting of the bristlesor loosening of the same in the brush head is thus avoided. It Will be up parent, that in order to dispose the brush head in its operative position, the operator need only release the latch plate from engagement with the keeper pin, the coil spring 13 serving to automatically lift the cover of the case, whereupon the spring 19 Will immediately act to force the brush out- Wardly to its extended. position.

From. the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction, manner of use and several. advantages of my invention will be clearly and fullyunderstood. It will be seen that l have provided a combination brush handle. and case Which While exceedingly simple in its construction, is also. highly convenient and serviceable in practical use. As the improved case is entirely constructed of sheet metal, it will be appreciated that the device can be manufactured at comparatively small cost and is also highly durable and at the same time light in weight. It is manifest that the case sections may be made in various desired sizes and forms to accommodate brushes of various constructions. The body and cover of the case may also be suit ably ornamented. It is therefore to be understood that While l have illustrated a particular embodiment of the invention in the drawing, the device is nevertheless susceptiole oi considerable modification in the form, proportion. and arrangement of the several elements employed and I therefore reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legiti mate modifications as may be fairly resorted to Withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

l clainrf l. The combination with a casing includmg pivotally mounted Within the casing and provided. with a transverse opening, of a pin carried by one of the sections, the pin being adapted to extend through the opening in the brush When the brush is in an extended position, and a latch plate carried by the other section adapted for engagement With the pin.

2. The combination with a case body and a cover hingedly mounted thereon, of a tooth brush pivoted in. th'e'case body and adapted to fold into the same, a spring normally urging the tooth brush to an extended position with relation to the case body, and means for locking the tooth brush in extended po sition, including an element engaging the brush shank, said means also holding the cover against movement with respect to the case body.

The combination with a case body and cover therefor and a spring normally urging' the cover to open position, of a tooth brush pivotally mounted Within the case and. adapted to fold into the same, aspiring urging the tooth brush to an extended position with relation to the case body, and a latch to hold the cover in closed position and confine the brush in the case, said latch having a relatively fixed part also cooperating with the brush shank to hold the brush in its extended position and retain the cover in closed position when the brush is extended.

In testimony whereof Ihereunto aflix my signature inthe presenceof two witnesses.

. RUSSELL LEWIS LONG.

Witnesses? J. L, Wnaaron,

Kl MARGHAND.

hingedly connected sections, and a brush 

